Art History
The Art History program at Marshall University serves students by providing a strong foundation in the history and theory of art. With a focus on the Western tradition, the program offers a two-semester History of Art and an array of specialized courses. Resources include an extensive collection of slides and access to ARTstor, a digital collection containing 300,000 images housed in the University Libraries and accessible both on and off campus. Students with majors as diverse as anthropology and English routinely take art history courses for enrichment, and any student may minor in art history by taking the two-semester survey plus four additional courses.
The culmination of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program is a Capstone project developed by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor. The student’s work on this project is shown in a Senior Exhibition in the department’s Birke Art Gallery or in another venue on the Marshall University campus.
Art History Faculty:
Dr. Susan Jackson
Dr. Beverly Marchant
Art History Courses
art 201 History of Art. 3 hrs. I.
A survey of the history of art, with emphasis on European traditions. Chronology will cover pre- history through the Middle Ages. (PR: ART 112 for non-majors; ART 101 for majors)
art 202 History of Art. 3 hrs. I.
A survey of the history of art from the Renaissance to the present. (PR: ART 112 for non-majors; ART 201 for majors)
art 403 Arts of Asia. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
A survey of the arts of Asia from the Pacific Ocean to the Bosporus straits, with particular emphasis on India, China, and Japan. (PR: ART 112 or ART 201 or 202 or permission from the department chair)
art 404 Iconography of Mary. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
Traces the sources and evolution of Catholic doctrine and images of the Virgin Mary.
art 405 Arts in the United States. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
A survey of the development of architecture, painting, and sculpture from colonial times to the present. (PR: ART 112 or ART 101 or permission)
art 407 Tribal Art. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
An introduction to the unique arts of so-called pre-civilized peoples with a twofold emphasis: First, the European prehistoric; second, the non-European primitive.
art 408 Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
History of the visual arts and architecture in ancient Egypt.
art 409 19th-Century Art. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
A survey of the development of architecture, painting, and sculpture in the Western World during the 19th century. (PR: ART 202 or permission of department)
art 410 Art and Architecture of Ancient Greece. 3 hrs.
Explores the art and architecture of the ancient Greek world in light of social and religious influences. Prerequisite: ART 202 or Permission.
art 411 Art and Architecture of Ancient Rome. 3 hrs.
Explores the art and architecture or ancient Rome in light of social and religious influences. Prerequisites: ART 202 or Permission.
art 412 20th-Century Art. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
A survey of major 20th century artists’ works, styles, movements, and media, in a broad historical context. (PR: ART 202 or permission of chair)
art 413 Contemporary Art. 3 hrs. I or II or S.
A survey of the development of architecture, painting and sculpture in the Western World from World War II to the present. (PR: ART 202 or permission of department)
art 414 Art and Architecture of the Italian Renaissance. 3 hrs., I, II, or S.
The course discusses the art of the Renaissance in Italy within the context of social, political, theological and philosophical developments. (PR: ART 202 or permission of department)
art 415 Art of the Renaissance in Northern Europe. 3 hrs.
Explores the art of Northern Europe during the Renaissance in light of social and religious influ- ences. Prerequisite: ART 202 or Permission.
art 416 Baroque Art. 3 hrs.
Analyzes Baroque art and the social milieu that influenced, commissioned, financed, and produced it.
The complete BFA curriculum checklist is here.